2003 Pontiac Grand AM Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 7%of 325 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, 7% of the 325 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We went in for a routine oil change, when the mechanic advised that there was antifreeze in the oil. The intake gasket was leaking. Our car only has 70,000 miles on it. Mutual friends of ours, also had the same problem with previous grand ams around the same mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #10227241, filed 2008-05, 70,000 miles“I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am gt my complaint is that the check oil light did not come on there was less than a quart of oil in my car and it blew my motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10267066, filed 2009-04, 10,700 miles“I have a 2003 Pontiac gran am gt ram air four door sedan. Several weeks we experienced a problem where the car would suddenly accelerate without the gas pedal being depressed, the car would continue to accelerate until the gas pedal was quickly depressed or I hit the brakes. I took the car to my repair shop and they replaced a cable. The problem ended than a few weeks later reappeared. I took the car to a Pontiac dealer (adams/annapolis) and they cleaned out some connections, but the problem returned shortly after this. I returned the car to adams and they replace the computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10275642, filed 2009-07, 55,000 miles“This didn't involve anything tragic. I have a 2003 Pontiac grandam and it was having problems with leaking coolant and I have found out that my intake manifold gasket is needing to be replaced and also learned from the mechanic that I took it to that this model of car is infamous for having that problem and his does several repairs of the same type of car for the same problems every month and I think this should be addressed by the GM manufacturers because they put a faulty part on this type of car and it is going bad and could subsequently cause the head gaskets to blow on the car if it is…”
NHTSA complaint #10266310, filed 2009-04, 85,000 miles“I was driving approx. 70 MPH on the highway in my 2003 Grand Am gt when all of a sudden, with no warning at all, my car shut off completely!!!! The steering wheel locked up, the brakes felt very hard to push, and the car almost came to an immediate stop. The only thing that didn't stop working was the radio. I started the car after five minutes and it started right up as if nothing had happened. The same thing happened to me again, about 4 months later. I was driving about 35 miles an hour when all of a sudden the car shut off with absolutely no warning what-so-ever!!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10174639, filed 2006-11, 59,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234110Mar 17, 2023This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10227056Nov 9, 2022This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 4% |
| 2003 | 24 | 7% |
| 2002 | 54 | 14% |
| 2001 | 75 | 14% |
| 2000 | 111 | 16% |
| 1999 | 133 | 16% |
| 1998 | 23 | 13% |
| 1997 | 83 | 22% |
| 1996 | 74 | 16% |
| 1995 | 60 | 15% |
| 1994 | 73 | 19% |
| 1993 | 54 | 26% |
| 1992 | 62 | 37% |
| 1991 | 22 | 27% |
| 1990 | 14 | 37% |
| 1989 | 23 | 52% |
| 1988 | 12 | 39% |
| 1987 | 9 | 32% |
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
134 complaintsExterior lighting
65 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology